March 8th has a long history.
International Women's Day (IWD) is the "celebration of social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women" and has been observed since the early 1900s.
No one government, charity, organization, etc. is responsible for the day. It is a collective movement worldwide.
The first Women's Day was observed on Feb. 28 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding equal pay, their right to vote, and dangerous working conditions, specifically in the garment industry. In 1909, in accordance with a declaration from the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day was observed across the country on Feb. 28. The celebration continued from there on the last Sunday in February until the year 1913.In 1910 at a second International Conference of Working Women, with women from over 17 countries, Clara Zetkin (from the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea for an official International Women's Day. The idea passed with unanimous decision. Following global discussions International Woman's Day transferred to March 8 and has remained the same ever since.In 1975, the day was celebrated by the United Nations for the first time. In December, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming United Nations Day for a Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed any day by Member States, in accordance to their own traditions.
Since then, the day has grown in size and movement, as political climates change.
IWD is an official holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.
The IWD 2017 theme is "#BeBoldForChange." The day is meant to "call on yourself to help forge a better working world -- a more inclusive world."
In Italy, museums and cultural sites celebrate art from female artists, pieces and notable female muses by granting free entry to women.
Organizers from the Women's March on Washington is calling for March 8 2017 to be "A Day Without A Woman." The movement calls for women to take off from work, avoid shopping, and wear red, in solidarity with International Women's Day.

March 8th has a long history.

International Women's Day (IWD) is the "celebration of social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women" and has been observed since the early 1900s.

The first Women's Day was observed on Feb. 28 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding equal pay, their right to vote, and dangerous working conditions, specifically in the garment industry.

In 1909, in accordance with a declaration from the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day was observed across the country on Feb. 28. The celebration continued from there on the last Sunday in February until the year 1913.

In 1910 at a second International Conference of Working Women, with women from over 17 countries, Clara Zetkin (from the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea for an official International Women's Day. The idea passed with unanimous decision. Following global discussions International Woman's Day transferred to March 8 and has remained the same ever since.

In 1975, the day was celebrated by the United Nations for the first time. In December, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming United Nations Day for a Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed any day by Member States, in accordance to their own traditions.

Since then, the day has grown in size and movement, as political climates change.

Organizers from the Women's March on Washington is calling for March 8 2017 to be "A Day Without A Woman." The movement calls for women to take off from work, avoid shopping, and wear red, in solidarity with International Women's Day.